Let’s dare to do the same.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
 Genesis 1:1

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
Romans 1:20

Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?

Isaiah 40:12

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Colossians 1:16

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:3

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Revelation 4:11

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Psalm 19:1

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

Jeremiah had a very difficult life.

My bible reading plan had me reading Lamentations this week, which means things weren’t happy. The definition of lament means a response of deep sorrow and regret. This article explains that the book of Lamentations was written by Jeremiah the prophet, who wrote the book in response to the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 BC. Jeremiah had faithfully preached repentance and warning to his people at God’s direction for over forty years and saw no result from his efforts. In fact, he suffered the consequences of the fall of Jerusalem also, though he had lived a righteous life.

His disappointment is understandable and deep. 

Imagine if this was a description of your life! When reading in Lamentations 3, verses 1-20 are a description of utter sadness and hopeless circumstances.

Until verse 21.

Jeremiah’s words in verse 21 interrupted the hopeless flow of events and jumped off the page:

Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:

What a beautiful verse.

• Yet.
• I still dare to hope.
• When I remember this.

Remember what? Jeremiah continues.

The faithful love of the LORD never ends!

His mercies never cease.

Great is his faithfulness;

his mercies begin afresh each morning.

I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance;

therefore, I will hope in him!”

The LORD is good to those who depend on him,

to those who search for him.

(Lamentations 3: 22-25)

As I raised my children I cautioned them about taking dares. They are often set ups for reckless behavior and actions with poor consequences.

But this is a dare worth taking.

As many around the globe lament over the heartbreaking scenes  and news from televised events this week, let’s dare to hope and remember the power and nearness of our unchanging God.

 Picture Explanation: I received all of these pictures from friends in the last week. May He hear the cries of all who need His help, and may we stand strong in these truths.

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